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There was al the trees, closer and closer to the chorus of creepy chanting The trees beca Almost as if they leaned toward Mark noAnd it was harder for hilares from Alec At least he couldn’t see the expressions as well in the dark He keptthe old bear’s lead

They’d h the woods another few hundred yards when it becaht up ahead It was orange and flickering A fire A big one And the voluotten louder and louder As had the … intensity These people were really getting into whatever it was they were doing

Alec crept up to a fat, old tree and squatted behind it Mark was right at his back, doing his best to keep silent They knelt side by side with plenty of roos Deedee said?" Mark whispered

He ave hiht Then, in a soft voice, he spoke back "This could very well be the people who left her behind And they sound like they’ve got scras for brains Now try not to make any noises, would ya?"

Mark rolled his eyes, but Alec had already turned away and was leaning forward to peek around the edge of the tree trunk After a few seconds he faced Mark again

"I can’t make out all of the around that fire like they’re trying to call back the dead"

"Maybe that’s exactly what they’re doing," Mark offered "Sounds like a cult to me"

Alec nodded slowly "Maybe they’ve always been that way"

"Deedee said they called her evil Maybe the virus or whatever it is has made them a lot worse" A cult with a disease that drove them even crazier That sounded fun "Gives me the creeps and I haven’t even seen theet one last gli we have to worry about"

They bent low and inched out of their hiding spot, sloalking fro each time to make sure it was clear to move on to the next one Mark was proud of himself--he hadn’t made a loud noise in quite a while

They continued until they got within a hundred yards or so--the singing was crystal clear and the shadows from the flames circled and flashed in the canopy of branches above them Mark squatted behind a different tree from Alec this ti slope

The fire roared, at least ten feet ith its tongues of fla the lower li it Mark couldn’t believe how these goons were risking burning the whole forest down Especially with how dry everything still was in the after and gyrating around the bonfire, throwing their ar toward the earth and then shuffling to the side, where they started all over again Mark half expected the crazy robes or be flat-out naked, but they wore simple clothes--T-shirts, tank tops, jeans, shorts, tennis shoes A crowd of a dozen or so others were lined up in ts on the other side of the fire, singing the weird chant that Mark had been hearing He didn’t understand a word of it

Alec tapped hi him jump

He turned to face the man and had to restrain himself to keep his voice low "You scared the crap out ofabout these people Whether they’re a threat or not--the people at this bunker we’re headed for have surely noticed theh alert"

Mark wondered if"But if they’re a distraction, it’ll be easier for us to sneak up on the place Don’t you think?"

Alec seeuess We should probably--"

"Who’s up there?"

Mark froze, as did Alec They stared at each other with openin the reflection in Alec’s eyes

"I said who’s up there?" It was a woroup at the fire "We mean you no harm We just want to invite you to join us in our praises to nature and the spirits"

"Hoo boy," Alec whispered "I think not"

"I definitely think not," Mark said back

There was the crunch of footsteps and before they could do anything two people were standing over them Their backs were to the fire, so Mark couldn’t make out their faces But it looked to be awith us," the woman said Her tone seemed way too … calers should be ht--there was no point in crouching there like kids spying--and Mark did the same Alec folded his ar to defend its territory

"Look," he began with his typical bark, "I’m flattered you came here with an invite, but we’ll have to respectfully decline No hard feelings, I’ these two people were far too unpredictable-- sarcastic or rude to them He wished he could see their faces for a reaction, but they were still hidden in shadow

"Why are you here?" the man asked, as if he hadn’t heard the co on us? I would think you’d be honored that we offered an invitation"

Alec sucked in a short breath, and Mark sensed hi up

"We were curious," Alec said evenly

"Why did you leave Deedee behind?" Mark suddenly blurted out, having no idea where it came from He didn’t even know for sure if these people really were froirl Why did you leave her behind like a dog?"

The wo about both of you," she replied "And we can take no chances Seize them"

Before Mark could process her words, there was a rope around his neck, cinched tightly, yanking him off his feet He croaked and threw his hands up to try to relieve the pressure as he fell on his back and the as knocked out of his lungs Alec had been restrained the sa sounds Mark kicked and twisted his body, trying to turn and face his attacker, but strong hands gripped hiround